French · Greetings & Phrases

bonjour

hello

Beginnerinterjection

Definition

A standard greeting used when meeting someone.

Example

Bonjour, comment allez-vous?

Hello, how are you?

Etymology

The term 'bonjour' combines 'bon' (good) and 'jour' (day), originating from Old French. Its usage can be traced back to the 16th century as a polite greeting.

How & Where It’s Used

'Bonjour' is used in both formal and informal contexts and is widely used across French-speaking regions. Primarily spoken, it's commonly used in daytime greetings but can also appear in written correspondence.

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greetingformal